Showing results for "Mexican American War"
Mexican-American War 170th: An Occupation, a Diplomat, and a Pause
Winfield Scott’s army had not been idle since its victory at the battle of Cerro Gordo. After defeating Santa Anna’s forces, Scott’s Americans continued pushing further into the Mexican countryside. While there were small skirmishes as irregular Mexican forces nipped at the American soldiers, there were not any pitched major battles. From the city of […]
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: Battle of Cerro Gordo
Vera Cruz had fallen, and Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna had to act. Serving as both Mexico’s president and the commanding general of its armies, Santa Anna prepared to move against the American forces beginning to make their way inland. Before marching, Santa Anna published a proclamation to the Mexican people. “I am resolved to […]
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: Siege of Vera Cruz
Morning of March 29, 1847 came and brought two long parallel lines of American troops. The soldiers, begrimed and dirty from the exertions of the past 20 days, formed a gauntlet that their defeated foe would march through. The rows of Mexican forces soon came out of their city, with its crumbling walls bearing testament […]
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: Vera Cruz Landings
Cannon pointed out of their gun ports, aimed at the walled city in the distance. With commands to fire, the naval ordnance roared to life and the guns recoiled, pulling their holding ropes taught. Dirty white smoke fluttered across the ocean waves disrupted by the shelling. The firing didn’t last long—only long enough for some […]
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: Battle of Buena Vista
February 23, 1847: 170 years ago today, the mountain passes and gorges near the hacienda of Buena Vista filled with the ripping crackles of musketry and booming concussion of artillery. The day saw a numerically superior Mexican force throwing itself at American lines; the outcome of the battle could throw American operations in Mexico into […]
Read more...Year In Review: Mexican-American War 170th Series
This year in March 2016, the blog series “Mexican-American War 170th” started. It’s an on-going project highlighting important historical moments, leaders, battles, and common soldiers. Spearheaded by ECW author Ryan Quint, the series has brought a new perspective to the Civil War conflict and expanded the blog’s platform and reach.
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: The Politics of Command
On November 19, 1846 Winfield Scott went to see President James Polk and the Secretary of War. Convening at the Executive Mansion, the three sat to talk about the ongoing war with Mexico. As the commanding general of the United States Army, Scott had kept close tabs on the operations of Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor […]
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: Mexico In The Years Leading Up To The Mexican War (Part 1)
Emerging Civil War is pleased to welcome guest author Ben Allen The origins of the Mexican War go way, way back—farther than most Anglo historians have allowed. Such an expansive timeframe is the best way to understand the political machinations that plagued the Mexican government.
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: Battle of Monterrey, Conclusion
This post wraps-up ECW’s 170th Anniversary coverage of the Battle of Monterrey. Click here for the other posts relating to the battle. For three days, the American and Mexican armies had fought for control of the city of Monterrey. Now, as American soldiers watched on, Gen. Pedro de Ampudia brought his defeated forces out of […]
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